BYD’s SUV S6 Dual Mode to hit the market in 2013

AutoChina.org (Shanghai  November 4) - BYD’s S6 SUV is already a popular model in the Chinese market, September sales ran to some 7000 units and may cause some worry at Greatwall, Zotye and Chery – all of whom already have best selling SUV’s in the market. BYDs’ entry into this segment did not come as a surprise but the cars size, power and quality at its price segment have come as a shock to the market. Now BYD are planning to put a hybrid system from the BYD F3DM into the S6 to give the SUV a green feeling. An S6DM was already shown at the Detroit Auto Show earlier this year where it was revealed that the 2.0L self developed gasoline engine could power the front wheels and the 75Kw electric motor was able to power the rear wheels, when need the two could work together to provide AWD capability or with a fully charged battery the rear wheels could be powered by electricity only for a maximum 60km.

Media may have incorrectly reported that the S6DM would have been put in to production in 2012, but Chinese media reports are now indicating that the hybrid SUV will launch in 2013. China has not yet seen the concept version, although it’s likely to be on show at either the 2011 Guangzhou Show or the 2012 Beijing Auto Show.